How do I host to a website? [Require specifics!]

[Miguel]

Okay, basically, I purchased RPG Maker MV long ago back when it first came out but I never really bothered with it because XP/VX Ace was sufficient enough for me. That was until a few days ago when the game I was making (originally on XP but moved to VX Ace for the updated tilesets) had to be halted because I realized, some of my Beta Testers cannot even access a computer to download the game. (Refer to my profile picture for my initial response.) ANYWAYS, not wanting to lose some of my Beta Testers, I decided to finally upgrade one last time to RPG Maker MV since it has both mobile and web browser support.

Long story short, I followed the default MV guides that came with the game and was able to make a successful locally run web browser version of the game on my own computer, but that's not what I want. I want to manually upload the game to a website and have it be run there. The full game. I spent the several last few days trying to discover how to do this exactly but the closest I kept getting was "Oh you just upload the folder on the website. Then give them the link and they can play."

This DOES NOT help me. I need to know the specifics. I need to know what requirements there are for websites in order to host (I think I saw something about it has to be a website that allows folders - which still is NOT specific in the least btw) along with other relevant useful information. Such as, if possible, some recommended websites, where/how to "upload" said folder on said websites, and the very detailed specifics of how you go from uploading this file to somehow making it so others can play your game in their web browser.

I'm at my wit's end at this point and after about 72 hours of unsuccessful searches, my patience has run thin. Especially considering i've had to halt my game progress for the last several days due to this madness and still I can't find the specifics to help me. PLEASE help! ANY and all help would be GREATLY appreciated! And please - BE AS SPECIFIC AS POSSIBLE! Leave no detail unturned! Apologies, I know this question has been asked before but the responses are typically what is stated above which does not help me in particular. Thank you for your time!

 

[Kupotepo]

@Miguel, did you do Local Server Setup on documentation of the content file? Local Server is very important " When developing a website, a web designer needs to be able to see his webpages the same way the end user would." https://www.maketecheasier.com/setup-local-web-server-all-platforms/
That is important because the user will be able to access your data from your computer and those data files need to stores somewhere.
In Local Server Setup Page, it said: " For reasons related to security, it is not possible to open the index.html file in the project folder by opening it directly in a browser. " If that is not fixed the problem, then:

If you mean create your own website, you need to get a domain name: https://makeawebsitehub.com/best-free-website-builders/
Rpg maker MV does not provide you with a free domain. You could upload to your website.

If you do not have your own website, the least annoying way would be registered on https://itch.io/ It is a very popular location for RPG maker game.
I hope that would solve your problem.

 

[Poryg]

If you want to keep it simple, I can recommend byethost. They offer free hosting service, website of 1 GB (although limited bandwidth to 5 GB per month in the free service, it should be enough for a couple of betatests). Setting up their website is easy. Byethost also contains a set of step by step instructions on how to prepare to and upload files via an FTP client. Or if you want to have it even simpler, just use the one built in the cPanel. There's really nothing to be said, it's that simple.

 

[Miguel]

If you want to keep it simple, I can recommend byethost. They offer free hosting service, website of 1 GB (although limited bandwidth to 5 GB per month in the free service, it should be enough for a couple of betatests). Setting up their website is easy. Byethost also contains a set of step by step instructions on how to prepare to and upload files via an FTP client. Or if you want to have it even simpler, just use the one built in the cPanel. There's really nothing to be said, it's that simple.

Hmm i'm interested. Can you tell me more about this website? And what is a FTP client? What program or link in the cPanel would allow me to upload the game's files so that my game was playable by others? And it'd all be browser-based, correct? The players wouldn't need to download anything to play?

 

[Poryg]

And what is a FTP client?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File_Transfer_Protocol

What program or link in the cPanel would allow me to upload the game's files so that my game was playable by others?

Perhaps a button that says "Upload files"?

The players wouldn't need to download anything to play?

Of course not.

 

[Miguel]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File_Transfer_Protocol


Perhaps a button that says "Upload files"?

Of course not.

Okay so I upload the files on this website then what? Will everything automatically be set up? People just have to go to the website I provide to play? I just want to know as many details as possible so I can make setup as painless as possible for myself but yet as effective as possible for my staff.

 

[Poryg]

Yes, as long as you maintain the same folder tree, everything will be all set once you upload the files.

 

[Miguel]

Yes, as long as you maintain the same folder tree, everything will be all set once you upload the files.

Okay so i've never done this before. I set up an account on this website but it all looks very much so advanced. Where do I upload the file? In the File Manager area or another area in the CP? Or am I supposed to be doing this in the FTP area? Furthermore, what do you mean by "as long as you maintain the same folder tree"? What is a folder tree?

 

[Poryg]

You can use the file manager. As for folder tree, it's folders and files. The root folder of your game will be htdocs. The filepath to your scripts will be htdocs/js. The filepath for plugins htdocs/js/plugins. Filepath for characters htdocs/img/characters. Etc.
Don't ask me what htdocs is, you'll understand once you open the file manager.
As for the rest of the buttons, you can pretty much ignore them. Only file manager is important.


And if you find file manager too slow, byethost has a step by step tutorial on how to use a FTP app to transfer files between the site and computer (it is more convenient for me). I would recommend filezilla if that's the case.

 

[Miguel]

You can use the file manager. As for folder tree, it's folders and files. The root folder of your game will be htdocs. The filepath to your scripts will be htdocs/js. The filepath for plugins htdocs/js/plugins. Filepath for characters htdocs/img/characters. Etc.
Don't ask me what htdocs is, you'll understand once you open the file manager.
As for the rest of the buttons, you can pretty much ignore them. Only file manager is important.


And if you find file manager too slow, byethost has a step by step tutorial on how to use a FTP app to transfer files between the site and computer (it is more convenient for me). I would recommend filezilla if that's the case.

Well thankfully I was able to find something on Youtube that showed me how to upload files there. So that's good. But now I face a different issue: The user said to zip your file into an archive first then upload that. Then to unzip using the control panel as well. But see my problem is: When I zipped up the file (I did the "www" one instead of the entire "test" folder since I recall that is how I used to get the whole local web browser thing to work in the past) for some reason it only gets through a partial bit of the download then gives an error saying "the connection was reset". Despite of course, my internet still working fine. So now I am not sure what to do next. I wonder if somehow my game is too big already? Though it is still very much early on in dev, it is only 66 MB. Hmm...any suggestions on how to fix this issue? I tried re-uploading it multiple times but the same error pops up each and every time.

 

[Poryg]

The reason why he said to zip it was to save bandwidth. However, there's no need to zip it if it gives you problems.

 

[Miguel]

The reason why he said to zip it was to save bandwidth. However, there's no need to zip it if it gives you problems.

So wait if I can't upload it via .rar, I then have to manually upload every individual file? Dear god...is there an easier way?

 

[Poryg]

The ftp client will allow you to drag whole folders, making the whole process much quicker. Byethost should have a tutorial on how to connect it. I recommend filezilla. It's free and does what you need.

 

[Miguel]

The ftp client will allow you to drag whole folders, making the whole process much quicker. Byethost should have a tutorial on how to connect it. I recommend filezilla. It's free and does what you need.

Okay so I downloaded the FTP client, I successfully transfered over the "www" folder with all of its files, now what though? I open up my website but nothing except the default message loads saying you know "Congrats on making your website" and all that jazz but yet the game does not load. I tried two different methods: I tried uploading the entire "www" folder (wasn't successful) and even removed the "www" folder and just left all the game files in the main htdocs directory where it tells you to copy all your files over but yet still nothing loads on my website. What did I do wrong? Isn't it supposed to auto-load? Am I missing a step somewhere?

EDIT: NEVERMIND! I figured it out! Apparently, I have to link people to the FULL website INCLUDING the whole "www." portion because otherwise it links them to the other version of the website above with just the basic welcome message presented. Which is odd. Is there anyway around this? But otherwise, the game also lags a bit on the website. Is that normal? Appreciate your patience throughout helping me so far and I look forward to your continued assistance! Thanks!

UPDATE: Another thing I noticed is that the game's music sure takes its sweet time to load. Usually loading in a long time after the game started. Not only that, but the main title's audio never loads either. (Unless you click one of the options like "New Game" or "Load Game".) Any particular reason for why you might think this is?

 

[Andar]

any file needs to be completely downloaded from the website before the computer can play it.
if the audiofiles are big, that takes more time.

and the only solution to that is to reduce the filesize of the audiofiles, either by using a better compression or by using shorter music.

 

[Miguel]

any file needs to be completely downloaded from the website before the computer can play it.
if the audiofiles are big, that takes more time.

and the only solution to that is to reduce the filesize of the audiofiles, either by using a better compression or by using shorter music.

I was worried about that. Unfortunately the music that is taking a bit longer to load IS default music that came with the engine. So I can only imagine how much more difficult it'll be to play more custom music. RIP. Anyways do you know anything about this website we're using? If so, perhaps do you know why it is REQUIRED that "www." be included in order for the website to link players to the right webpage? And similarly why the game lags slightly while playing on said website as well? Just curious.

 

[Andar]

if the server has a cheap connection or hosts too many other website (which is common in case of free hosting), then the download speed is lower.
Nothing is really free, those free hosters are usually paid by advertisement and there is only so much money from ads, limiting the hardware that can be paid with it. For better servers you'll have to go to paid homepages...

 

[Miguel]

if the server has a cheap connection or hosts too many other website (which is common in case of free hosting), then the download speed is lower.
Nothing is really free, those free hosters are usually paid by advertisement and there is only so much money from ads, limiting the hardware that can be paid with it. For better servers you'll have to go to paid homepages...

Hmm I guess that makes sense. Thanks for your insight. So then essentially nothing can be done about the loading times then huh? Or the semi-lag? Ah well....if it can't be helped I guess....then that leaves one remaining prominent issue: why on earth does the website REQUIRE "www." to load the correct webpage?

 

[Andar]

there was a time when all websites required the www. In fact it is a configuration on the server that is neccessary to allow people to skip this - and if a server doesn't have that option configured, then you're back to the original requirement of always using the full adress.

 

[Miguel]

there was a time when all websites required the www. In fact it is a configuration on the server that is neccessary to allow people to skip this - and if a server doesn't have that option configured, then you're back to the original requirement of always using the full adress.

Okay then. What is this configuration and how do I configure it?